Post by Zac Loh on Oct 9, 2007 6:36:39 GMT -5
What you think most, is where your life focus is.
Jesus said that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
The physical journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan; is an analogy of our Christian spiritual journey.
We are the spiritual Israelites by faith (Romans 2:28-29; 4:16,18).
Egypt typified the spirit and system of this world, of which, we were delivered from.
Of course, Pharaoh is a typology of Satan, the devil.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (1 Peter 2:9-11; underline mine)
Canaan (the land of milk and honey) symbolized heaven – not only heaven itself, but also heaven on earth by experiencing the spiritual condition and qualities of heaven, here and now.
Moses, of course, was a typology of Jesus Christ: the Great Deliverer and the Great Shepherd of God’s people.
Through Moses, came the law. Through Jesus Christ, came grace and truth …the living precepts which we read in the Gospels (John 1:17).
The pillar of cloud spoke of the specific word of the Lord. It is the special and tailor-made word addressing specific individual(s) or groups(s); for specific time and duration; and under specific circumstance, situation and condition.
The Israelites watched and followed the pillar of cloud which appeared only during the day. The surrounding back ground, landscape and landmark were visible to them. These surroundings became a bearing to indicate the Israelites’ position. Therefore this specific word of the Lord has bearings to our specific time, condition, circumstance and situation.
On the other hand, the pillar of fire during the night signified the light of life, the illuminating revelation of Christ the Word (Ephesians 1:17-21). The Israelites could not see much except the contrast of light and darkness. The light of Christ is universal and timeless (John 1:1-4).
The East Wind separated the Red Sea providing access to the Israelites to cross-over. Now, we, the spiritual Israelites, have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Therefore, the Red Sea signified our `born again (John 3:3-8)’ salvation experience.
The crossing through the Red Sea signified our spiritual baptism into Christ meaning we are being part of Christ Himself because we have the Spirit of Christ within us.
Since we are baptized into Christ, we are also baptized into His body i.e. His spiritual living church comprised of the true believers of Christ like us.
Every rock which God used to gush out water in order to quench the Israelites’ thirst was hit once. The Rock that was `following’ them was symbolic of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) meaning that Christ died once for us so that we can have the spiritual eternal living water flowing out of us (John 4:14).
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before they crossed the River Jordan and entered Canaan, the Promised Land. It was estimated that the journey should have taken only 11 days but the Israelites wandered 40 years.
In the spiritual, we don’t have to wait 11 days, but we can experience Canaan now on a daily basis!
Nevertheless, we will go through spiritual wilderness until and unless we cross the River Jordan.
River Jordan was symbolic of the dying to our old self and resurrecting in the newness, refreshing, vibrant, spiritual life of Christ.
Jesus was water baptized in the River Jordan. Thus, River Jordan is symbolic of the water baptism.
Water baptism is the physical reflection of the spiritual reality, in which, we have been dead to self, and alive in Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
In the Canaan land, we experience the resurrection life, the heavenly life.
Our blessings here on earth are pale in comparison to eternity. Our sufferings will be a memory exceeded by the surpassing glory, when we enter into the realm of immortality.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
Satan’s plan is to distract us, and divert us, from our view of eternity.
There are seven basic strategies of Satan symbolized by the seven main enemy nations in the land of Canaan, as stated by Paul:
And when He has destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by `allotment’. (Acts 13:19; inverted commas mine)
`Allotment’ speaks of our God’s eternal rewards and honors prepared for us.
There will be lots of enthralling special surprises, some in enormous scope and magnitude:
Mansion
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)
Crown Of Righteousness
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Crown Of Life
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)
Crown Of Glory
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Eat From The Tree Of Life In The Midst Of The Paradise Of God
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ (Revelation 2:7)
Hidden Manna To Eat; New Name Written On A White Stone Which No One Knows Except Him Who Receives It
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ (Revelation 2:17)
Power Over The Nations
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— (Revelation 2:26)
Morning Star
and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28)
Clothed In White Garments; Jesus Confess Name Before The Father And The Angels
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)
Pillar In The Temple Of God; The Name Of God And The City Of God; Jesus’ New Name
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:12)
Sit With Jesus On His Throne
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Such great promises we have!!!
The purpose of Satan is to distract and divert us - from entering-in the spiritual land of Canaan, from becoming effective for God’s kingdom.
To gain eternal rewards and honors; we have to defeat and invade the seven nations standing in the way. Symbolically, these are the seven strategies which the devil uses against the eternal, heavenly hope …that we can have in Christ.
Jesus said that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
The physical journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan; is an analogy of our Christian spiritual journey.
We are the spiritual Israelites by faith (Romans 2:28-29; 4:16,18).
Egypt typified the spirit and system of this world, of which, we were delivered from.
Of course, Pharaoh is a typology of Satan, the devil.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (1 Peter 2:9-11; underline mine)
Canaan (the land of milk and honey) symbolized heaven – not only heaven itself, but also heaven on earth by experiencing the spiritual condition and qualities of heaven, here and now.
Moses, of course, was a typology of Jesus Christ: the Great Deliverer and the Great Shepherd of God’s people.
Through Moses, came the law. Through Jesus Christ, came grace and truth …the living precepts which we read in the Gospels (John 1:17).
The pillar of cloud spoke of the specific word of the Lord. It is the special and tailor-made word addressing specific individual(s) or groups(s); for specific time and duration; and under specific circumstance, situation and condition.
The Israelites watched and followed the pillar of cloud which appeared only during the day. The surrounding back ground, landscape and landmark were visible to them. These surroundings became a bearing to indicate the Israelites’ position. Therefore this specific word of the Lord has bearings to our specific time, condition, circumstance and situation.
On the other hand, the pillar of fire during the night signified the light of life, the illuminating revelation of Christ the Word (Ephesians 1:17-21). The Israelites could not see much except the contrast of light and darkness. The light of Christ is universal and timeless (John 1:1-4).
The East Wind separated the Red Sea providing access to the Israelites to cross-over. Now, we, the spiritual Israelites, have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Therefore, the Red Sea signified our `born again (John 3:3-8)’ salvation experience.
The crossing through the Red Sea signified our spiritual baptism into Christ meaning we are being part of Christ Himself because we have the Spirit of Christ within us.
Since we are baptized into Christ, we are also baptized into His body i.e. His spiritual living church comprised of the true believers of Christ like us.
Every rock which God used to gush out water in order to quench the Israelites’ thirst was hit once. The Rock that was `following’ them was symbolic of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) meaning that Christ died once for us so that we can have the spiritual eternal living water flowing out of us (John 4:14).
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before they crossed the River Jordan and entered Canaan, the Promised Land. It was estimated that the journey should have taken only 11 days but the Israelites wandered 40 years.
In the spiritual, we don’t have to wait 11 days, but we can experience Canaan now on a daily basis!
Nevertheless, we will go through spiritual wilderness until and unless we cross the River Jordan.
River Jordan was symbolic of the dying to our old self and resurrecting in the newness, refreshing, vibrant, spiritual life of Christ.
Jesus was water baptized in the River Jordan. Thus, River Jordan is symbolic of the water baptism.
Water baptism is the physical reflection of the spiritual reality, in which, we have been dead to self, and alive in Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
In the Canaan land, we experience the resurrection life, the heavenly life.
Our blessings here on earth are pale in comparison to eternity. Our sufferings will be a memory exceeded by the surpassing glory, when we enter into the realm of immortality.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
Satan’s plan is to distract us, and divert us, from our view of eternity.
There are seven basic strategies of Satan symbolized by the seven main enemy nations in the land of Canaan, as stated by Paul:
And when He has destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by `allotment’. (Acts 13:19; inverted commas mine)
`Allotment’ speaks of our God’s eternal rewards and honors prepared for us.
There will be lots of enthralling special surprises, some in enormous scope and magnitude:
Mansion
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)
Crown Of Righteousness
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Crown Of Life
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)
Crown Of Glory
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Eat From The Tree Of Life In The Midst Of The Paradise Of God
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ (Revelation 2:7)
Hidden Manna To Eat; New Name Written On A White Stone Which No One Knows Except Him Who Receives It
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ (Revelation 2:17)
Power Over The Nations
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— (Revelation 2:26)
Morning Star
and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28)
Clothed In White Garments; Jesus Confess Name Before The Father And The Angels
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)
Pillar In The Temple Of God; The Name Of God And The City Of God; Jesus’ New Name
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:12)
Sit With Jesus On His Throne
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Such great promises we have!!!
The purpose of Satan is to distract and divert us - from entering-in the spiritual land of Canaan, from becoming effective for God’s kingdom.
To gain eternal rewards and honors; we have to defeat and invade the seven nations standing in the way. Symbolically, these are the seven strategies which the devil uses against the eternal, heavenly hope …that we can have in Christ.